vin blanc sec
The English phrase "crisp white wine" is translated into French as vin blanc sec.
The term vin blanc sec refers specifically to a white wine that is dry and not sweet. If you wish to describe a white wine that is particularly fresh and tangy, you may instead use the phrase vin blanc frais et acidulé.
Which one should you use?
To express the opposite of a 'crisp' (dry) wine, use vin blanc moelleux instead of sec.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an 's' to both the noun and the adjectives: vins blancs secs.
Did you know?
- The term moelleux used for sweet wines shares a root with the word for 'marrow' in the bone, suggesting a texture that is soft or rich.
- The English word 'blink' and the French word blanc share a common ancestor from a root meaning 'to shine'. This explains why 'blanc' originally referred to something bright or blinding rather than just the color white.
- While English speakers use 'crisp' to describe the refreshing acidity of a wine, a French speaker would rarely use the word 'croquant' (the literal translation of 'crisp') for a liquid.
Examples in context
- Je cherche un vin blanc sec pour accompagner les fruits de mer.I am looking for a crisp white wine to go with seafood.
- Je préfère le vin blanc sec.I prefer dry white wine.
- Ce vin blanc sec est excellent.This crisp white wine is excellent.
- Voulez-vous un vin blanc sec ?Do you want a dry white wine?
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are choosing a bottle at a wine shop.
- LéaLucas, tu veux un vin blanc sec ?Lucas, do you want a dry white wine?
- LucasOui, j'adore le vin blanc sec.Yes, I love crisp white wine.
- LéaIl y a ce vin blanc sec ici.There is this dry white wine here.
- LucasParfait, prenons celui-là.Perfect, let's take that one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blanc, sec, vin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
